WATCH: Denny Hamlin advice NASCAR to replace ROVAL with Chicagoland

The Next-Gen era has been defined by Intermediate track racing.

WATCH: Denny Hamlin advice NASCAR to replace ROVAL with Chicagoland

Denny Hamlin and Chris Gabehart (Via IMAGO)

Since the introduction of the Next-Gen cars, the Intermediate tracks (1.5 miles) have become hosts for the most entertaining races in the NASCAR Cup Series. The lower horsepower and the aero-characteristics of the Next-Gen cars are the reason behind the change. This has inspired the sanctioning body to look into different tracks that could host races, replacing some hosts who has been producing underwhelming runs.

One such track that has been waiting for NASCAR’s return, for over two decades, is the Chicagoland Speedway. Many efforts have been made to facilitate a comeback of the track and now Joe Gibbs Racing veteran Denny Hamlin has made some important points advocating for the tracks return. He also has named the race he wants NASCAR to sacrifice for Chicagoland.

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Denny Hamlin pointed out that the ROVAL, the Road Course Race configuration at Charlotte Motor Speedway should be the first one to be replaced. The second race at the iconic track that hosts the Coke 600, was made an RC event from 2018 and it hasn’t been among the favourite race for the fans as well as the drivers.

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Let’s start with the ROVAL. Let’s start there. This car is made for mile-and-a-half tracks and we’re running through the parking lot at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
Denny Hamlin said via Action Detrimental.

Denny Hamlin gives his verdict on Kentucky Speedway’s NASCAR return

In the same podcast episode, the three times Daytona 500 winner also spoke about the return of Kentucky Speedway to NASCAR. He pointed out that while it’s a top-track, the facilities there are not up to the mark and the track needs some major renovation works. It’s been left behind without a race sine 2020.

Denny Hamlin
Denny Hamlin (Credits: IMAGO)
Kentucky Speedway. There’s tracks out there. We need to think about it. We can’t just make a knee-jerk reaction and say, ‘Oh, we’ve got to have more of this or more of that.’ A lot of it plays into the facilities. I don’t know that you know, Kentucky is definitely not top notch, when it comes to facilities there. It needs, it would need some major work.
Denny Hamlin said.

The Next-Gen cars are built for the 1.5 miles track and if the sport want to expand and produce entertaining races, they should race in more similar events. They can supress the possible backlash from fans by re-introducing historical that’s been left behind.

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